Referendum, Grasso: ‘Government delegitimises magistrates on the front line’

Naples, 17 February (LaPresse) – “Criticism is legitimate, but delegitimising those on the front line is not. When confrontation turns into uncontrolled attacks, a dangerous line is crossed. I have lived through periods when the judiciary was isolated and I have seen what it means to weaken the authority of judges. Confrontation between powers is natural, but not this conflict.‘ So said Piero Grasso, former national anti-Mafia prosecutor and former president of the Senate, in an interview with La Repubblica. According to Grasso, the request to the ANM for a list of donors to the committee for the “no” vote in the referendum ’is a serious request, politically inappropriate and one that reinforces the reasons for voting “no”. The signal it sends is intimidating, and in a democracy, perception also counts. The referendum is a constitutional tool, not an act of insubordination. If those who participate in it fear being “registered”, trust between institutions is undermined and the idea of political control over dissent is fuelled.”